Aria of Jewels: the Collection of a Distinguished Lady
M. Gérard
Ruby and Diamond Sautoir
Auction Closed
November 12, 07:46 PM GMT
Estimate
26,000 - 42,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Suspending a detachable ruby bead tassel capped by brilliant-cut diamonds, to a necklace composed of entwined navette-shaped motifs pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds connected by three rows of ruby beads, the front set with a cabochon ruby, length approximately 710mm, detachable to be worn as a shorter necklace, length approximately 530mm, and a bracelet, length approximately 160mm, signed M. Gérard, numbered, maker’s mark for André Vassort, French assay marks for gold; 1970s.
Formerly in the Collection of Florence J. Gould (1895-1983)
The Magnificent Jewels of Florence J. Gould, Christie’s New York, 11 April 1984, lot 459.
Florence J. Gould (1895-1983)
Florence J. Gould was one of the most important art and jewellery collectors of the 20th century.
Born Florence La Caze in California in 1895, but of French descent, she first trained to become a singer before marrying Frank Jay Gould (1877-1956) in 1923. Her husband was the youngest son of railroad magnate Jay Gould, one of the wealthiest men in Gilded Age America. Frank and Florence lived in France where he built several hotels and casinos on the Côte d’Azur and in Normandy. Florence held a literary salon and both husband and wife indulged in their passion for collecting art.
After Florence’s passing, Sotheby’s had the honour of presenting her impressionist collection in a single-owner sale in New York which included highlights by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Cezanne, Degas and Monet, while Sotheby’s in Monaco sold the contents of her riviera home, the estate El Patio near Cannes. Her jewellery collection was of equal importance, most notably including the Blue Princess, a cushion-shaped sapphire weighing 114.30 carats mounted on a necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, and a 31.35 carat step-cut diamond known as 'The Victory Diamond'.